Next Step Maine

What are all of these Certificate Programs?

Educational institutions listed on this site offer multiple certificates in addition to degrees. Certificates are typically awarded after course work is completed within a specific focused area of study. Certificates listed on this site are undergraduate or graduate level, and credit or non-credit.

For Credit Certificates: Students taking a for-credit certificate program may be working towards either a career/technical certificate or degree program, or are taking courses that will be eligible to transfer for a program at another college or university. In some cases, students take courses that are offered for credit for personal reasons or skills updating, even if they do not need the college credit.

Non-credit Certificates: Non-credit certificate students are taking courses for personal or professional interest. These courses do not offer college credit, but in some cases community education students can earn continuing education units, certification or other evidence of class completion to meet personal or professional requirements.

Graduate & Under-Graduate Certificates: You may also notice some certificates are graduate level, and some under-graduate level. The graduate certificates are presumably more intensive than the undergraduate certificates. The main noticeable difference between the two is that graduate certificates likely require a bachelor’s degree as a prerequisite.

I’ve worked all my life in a job that is no longer viable for me. How can I upgrade my skills quickly to get a job?

First things first: talk with a career counselor or advisor at your local adult education office to find out what skills will be most useful to you. Go to Maine Adult Education to find the program closest to you.

Maine’s career centers and the Department of Labor are great resources to find training that could upgrade your skills quickly.

Certificate programs can often be completed quickly, less expensively, and on a less intensive schedule. You can search for certificate programs on this site, or directly on the site of Institutions closest to you.

Exploring Professional Development Programming is an excellent option for learning new skills and exploring new industries.

View University of Southern Maine’s Professional Development Workshops & Certificate Programs

How do I get a job in my new career?

Many of Maine’s adult education programs provide career counseling as a stand-alone service, or as part of a college transitions or other course or program.

Maine’s Career Center website is a great resource for job seekers.
Also, check the local career center locations to find one near you.

Do I need any professional certifications or licenses?

There are many careers that require or recommend a professional certification or license. Professional licenses and certifications are a great way to enhance your job knowledge and skills, as well as your marketability and earning potential. There are hundreds of different professional licenses and certifications available, and obtaining a license or certification that is necessary or valuable in your career field can go a long way toward enhancing your career. It’s important to note that having a professional license or certification does not guarantee you a job, even though there are many jobs which require professional licenses or certifications. However, they can provide job security, credibility, and increased earnings potential.

It is important to note that certifications are usually earned from a professional society or educational institute, not the government. If a demonstration of ability or knowledge is required by law before being allowed to perform a task or job, this is referred to as licensure. In the United States, professional licenses are usually issued by state agencies. See the list of licenses administered by the State of Maine.

To explore certification options for various careers, it is often easiest to search for the professional trade organization associated with that career path. If you are unsure, your local adult education program can help you answer this question as well.

Where can I get training?

The Maine Career Centers are a great place to start assessing what your career change might be, what it will take to make it happen, and how to take the next step.

There are 12 full-service CareerCenters with additional service points and partner providers located throughout the state that provide services to employers and job seekers, find the closest Career Center to you.

If you are interested in changing careers with your current employer, within the company you work for now, you should ask your supervisor or human resources director if there are support programs in place that will allow you to train on the job or be trained on site.

Many credit and non-credit certificate programs offered by Maine’s colleges and universities are a good first step toward a career change. These programs often have flexible or less-intensive schedules that you can fit around your current schedule and are less costly. You can explore certificate programs on this site or directly on any institution’s website.

Some non-profit organizations or other agencies or service providers may have training available to help you start a new or different career. For example, Goodwill Workforce Solutions provides a variety of training and career development services in Maine.

What should I study?

Explore your interests and what you can study to turn those interests into employment or a career. The US Department of Labor has several sites to help you explore your interests and skills, and connect them to jobs available: Visit Career One Stop.

Here are more US Department of Labor sites that may be helpful:
www.myskillsmyfuture.org
www.mynextmove.org

View our list of high-wage, in-demand jobs in Maine.

A Change of Career Can Make All the Difference

Links & Resources